PIL in HC against Srikant Jena for filing a ‘false’ affidavit

With the second phase elections in Odisha just four days away, a PIL has been filed in the Odisha High Court against senior Congress leader and Union minister Srikant Jena for submitting an allegedly false affidavit before the Returning Officer of Baleswar from where he is contesting as an MP candidate.
Briefing newsmen here, advocate Baikunthanath Pradhan, who filed the PIL, said in his affidavit that Jena has suppressed facts by stating he has no cases pending against his name while there are as many as four pending cases against him in police stations.

While three cases against him were registered on April 18, 2009, the fourth case was registered on April 20, 2009, Pradhan said.

The complaint, lodged by the then tehsildar of Jaleswar, pertains to the violation of model code of conduct by Jena during the 2009 elections.

Since Jena, in his affidavit has mentioned that there are no cases pending against him, it is in gross violation of sections 33 (a), 36 and 125 the Indian People’s Representation Act, Pradhan said.

Pradhan has argued that the Returning Officer has the power to nullify Jena’s nomination on the basis of the ‘false affidavit’ submitted by him.